The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted a report by the Department of State Services (DSS) that claims Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), played a role in the violence that followed the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
The report, brought before the court on Thursday, alleges that Kanu’s statements led to the deaths of 186 police officers and the destruction of 164 police stations across several states. Justice James Omotoso allowed the document as evidence during the continuation of Kanu’s trial on terrorism-related charges.
A DSS officer, referred to in court only as Mr. EEE for security reasons, testified as the fifth prosecution witness. He said he was sent to the South-East and other areas during the #EndSARS unrest to gather facts and assess damages.
Led by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the officer explained that his job was to collect records of destroyed public property and security personnel allegedly killed due to Kanu’s broadcasts.
“I know the defendant through the media. I have never met him face-to-face,” the witness told the court.
The prosecution submitted multiple exhibits through the witness, including a damage report, death certificates of affected officers, and a certificate of compliance. Although the defence objected, the judge reserved argument on the documents’ admissibility.
The witness noted that 37 military members and 10 DSS operatives were also killed, and nine facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were damaged during the chaos, which affected 17 states including Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Abia, Rivers, and Ebonyi.
When cross-examined, defence counsel Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) questioned the reliability of the DSS findings and whether the statements attributed to Kanu were directly tied to the #EndSARS movement.
Ikpeazu also asked if activists like Aisha Yesufu were investigated. The witness responded that his job was limited to assessing destruction caused during the protests.
He added that although the protests began due to police brutality, they were later taken over by groups who turned them violent. However, he admitted that the report does not contain any single section that directly names IPOB members as being behind the killings.
“It is a voluminous document. There is no single caption that links deaths directly to IPOB on any page,” the DSS officer confessed.
Ikpeazu also pointed out issues with the report such as photos without dates, lack of signature, and no clear identification of the victims or medical officers. The witness admitted the report was certified in his capacity as secretary, but he did not personally sign it.
“You did not sign this report. In fact, none of the photographs show the dates they were taken,” the lawyer said. He also claimed the report was prepared after the trial had already begun, but the witness denied that claim.
On his part, Chief Awomolo noted that the prosecution had completed its part in presenting the case and asked the court to consider their arguments. In response, Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), entered a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence was not strong enough to continue the trial.
Justice Omotoso then gave both parties 14 days to file their written arguments and two more days for replies on legal points. The case was then adjourned until July 18.
